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Monday, July 28, 2014

I know I am not supposed to relieve stress with food, but desperate times call for desperate measures. My husband (Jacob) and I are about to relocate our entire lives. We are changing schools, cities, and jobs all at once. Portland is a giant place, much larger than the quiet town of Corvallis that we are used to. As much as I complain that there isn't a whole lot to do in Corvallis, I am going to miss its beautiful brick buildings and friendly people.

Moving is tough: saying goodbye to friends, getting used to new streets, shops, and people...the unfamiliarity of it is unsettling.

We are moving farther away from my family than ever before, and into city life...which I don't necessarily appreciate. I can see myself on a small farm in the future, living the simple life, but for now I join the rat race of the city. I know that my life is about to change, so for today comfort food is the answer, maybe tomorrow there will be room for optimism.

Macaroni and Brie with Crab

Servings: 6-8

Ingredients:

1 medium onion, diced

3 cloves crushed garlic

5 tablespoons salted butter

1 pound uncooked pasta, macaroni noodles

( I like fresh egg pasta)

1/3 cup flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

2 teaspoons dried dill

3 cups chicken broth or milk

½ pound Brie cheese, trimmed and
chopped

(reserve 8 small wedges for topping, if
desired)

½ pound White Cheddar cheese, chopped

1 pound can claw crab meat

(drained, flaked, and any cartilage
removed)

Few sprigs of fresh dill

Method:

1. In large skillet cook garlic and
onion in butter over medium-low heat about 15 minutes or until tender
and golden brown, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, cook pasta
according to package directions; drain and return to pot.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

It has been so hot this summer, especially compared to the normal
weather patterns here in the Willamette Valley. To stay cool I have
resorted to consuming mostly Popsicles; they are about the only thing
that sounds good! Healthy, I know. Because of this, I recently went out
and bought Popsicle molds to make my own. I figure this way I can feel
less guilty by knowing exactly what each treat contains, and cut down on
costs as well.

My husband and I LOVE Disney. Every time we go to Disneyland/World my husband makes sure
to snag a frozen banana. I would go so far to say it is his favorite
summer time snack. This recipe pays homage to that wonderful Disney tradition. Bon
Appetit!

Peel and place bananas in freezer and freeze overnight. Remove bananas from
freezer and allow to thaw for 45 minutes to 1 hour (makes for MUCH creamier ice cream! TRUST ME). Place bananas in bowl of food processor along with the lime juice. Puree for
10 to 15 seconds. Add maple syrup, caramel, rum, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg and turn
processor on. Slowly pour in the heavy cream. Process until smooth. Add whole milk, mix until well blended.
Chill mixture in refrigerator until it reaches 40 degrees. Transfer
mixture to an ice cream maker and churn according the manufacturer's
instructions (usually 30-45 minutes). Spoon mixture into Popsicle molds and place in the freezer for at least 3 hours, or until frozen solid. Place the remaining mixture in an airtight container and freeze for 3 to
6 hours before serving (this is if there are left overs, or if just making ice cream).

Prepare a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Remove Popsicles from freezer and pop out of molds. Dip each Popsicle in the prepared chocolate. Wait about 30 seconds then place on the parchment. Wrap with plastic and put in freezer until ready to eat!

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Independence day in America is almost upon us, and if you are still wondering what to make for your celebration, look no further! These were so fun to make, and oh so simple! The Mr. and I are possibly headed to sunny California this year for the 4th. My family is having a family reunion down there...one thing is for sure: chaos will ensue. I just hope the food is good enough to make up for it :). Until next time, bon appetit!

Combine flour, sugar and salt in
the bowl of a food processor. Then add butter, pulsing until a coarse
meal develops. Then slowly add water one tbsp at a time until a dough
forms. Turn dough out into a floured surface. Form into an oval, and
cut into six equal sized pieces.

Roll out to about 6 in
circle. Place tart tin on top upside down. Draw a circle around
the tin with a pairing knife, allowing a 1" border. Press dough
into tins, folding over edges into the tin to create a thicker crust
along the side. Roll out the dough that is left, cut out 6
stars.

Place tins and stars on a parchment lined baking sheet.
Put in the freezer for 15 mins.

Next prepare the filling:
place blueberries in a bowl and toss well with lime juice, sugar and
flour.

Remove baking sheet from the freezer and fill each one
with 1 tbsp cherry jam, and a few spoons of berries (don't fill to
the top, stop about ¾ way or it will over flow with juice while
baking) then top with 1 pat of butter.

Place in oven for 15
minutes. Remove the stars when they are golden brown. Continue baking
the tarts for another 20 minutes or until tart crust is golden brown
and berries emit their juice and are bubbling.

While the tarts are baking prepare the
whipped cream. Combine heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla a
bowl and whip with an electric mixer until slightly stiff peaks
form.

Allow tarts to cool completely. These
are best served a room temperature or chilled.
Before serving
dust a tiny amount of powdered sugar on the centers of the stars.
Serve the tarts with a dollop of whipped cream in the center, and top
with a star.

What is YOUR favorite way to celebrate Independence day?! Comment below :)
To get your own perfect mini tart pans I highly recommend these:

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Hello! Welcome to my blog! My name is Dayna and I love all things sweet. I have a wonderful new husband (the piggy in the relationship), and three beautiful cats. I am a recent college grad attempting to go to graduate school, but most importantly I am a hobby baker. I hope you decide to follow me as I begin this exciting new food journey and blog! Bon appetit!

Cream the butter and sugar in
the bowl of an electric mixer for 4 to 5 minutes, until light. Add
the eggs, then add the vanilla and yogurt. In a separate bowl, sift
together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. With the
mixer on low, add the flour mixture to the batter until just
combined. Finish stirring with a spatula to be sure the batter is
completely mixed.

For the streusel, place the brown sugar,
flour, cinnamon, salt, maple and 3 tbsp of butter in a bowl and pinch
together with your fingers until it forms a crumble. Mix in the
pecans. Reserve the 2 extra tbsp of butter for later.

Spoon
half the batter into the pan and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle with
about 2/3 of the streusel. Place pats of the remaining butter over the middle strreusel. Spoon the rest of the batter in the pan,
spread it out, and scatter the remaining streusel on top.

Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until a
toothpick comes out clean. Let cool on a wire rack for at least 30
minutes. Carefully transfer the cake, streusel side up, onto a
serving plate.

Mix the powdered sugar and maple syrup
together, adding a few drops of milk if necessary, to make the glaze
runny. Drizzle as much as you like over the cake with a knife.

Severed best warm with a cafe a lait!

What do YOU think I should make next?! Comment Below! :)
To get your own amazing bunt pan, I recommend this one, I love the simplicity of it!